Nonprofit organization

Nonprofit organization (also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution) is an organization traditionally dedicated to furthering a particular social cause or advocating for a shared point of view. In economic terms, it is an organization using its surplus of the revenues to further achieve its ultimate objective, rather than distributing its income to the organization's shareholders, leaders, or members. Nonprofits are tax exempt or charitable, meaning they do not pay income tax on the money that they receive for their organization. They can operate in religious, scientific, research, or educational settings.

Overview

The key aspects of nonprofit organizations are accountability, trustworthiness, honesty, and openness to every person who has invested time, money, and faith into the organization. Nonprofit organizations are accountable to the donors, funders, volunteers, program recipients, and the public community. Public confidence is a factor in the amount of money that a nonprofit organization is able to raise. The more nonprofits focus on their mission, the more public confidence they will have, and as a result, more money for the organization. The activities a nonprofit is partaking in can help build the public’s confidence in nonprofits, as well as how ethical the standards and practices are.

Legal aspects

In the United States, nonprofit organizations are formed by filing bylaws or articles of incorporation in the state in which they expect to operate. The act of incorporating creates a legal entity enabling the organization to be treated as a corporation under law and to enter into business dealings, form contracts, and own property as any other individual or for-profit corporation may do.

Nonprofits can have members but many do not. The nonprofit may also be a trust or association of members. The organization may be controlled by its members who elect the board of directors, board of governors or board of trustees. A nonprofit may have a delegate structure to allow for the representation of groups or corporations as members. Alternatively, it may be a non-membership organization and the board of directors may elect its own successors.

Types of Nonprofit Organizations

There are various types of nonprofit organizations, including:

• Charitable organization
• Educational organization
• Scientific organization
• Religious organization
• Arts organization
• Social welfare organization
• Public safety organization
• Veterans organization

See also

• Charity (practice)
• Foundation (charity)
• Non-governmental organization
• Nonprofit studies
• Philanthropy
• Social enterprise
• Volunteering

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